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News | Jan. 4, 2018

Rota Distribution site participates in intermodal helo movement

By DLA Distribution Public Affairs

DLA Distribution Sigonella at Rota, Spain, recently supported an intermodal operation involving the movement of Army helicopters from the USS Bob Hope moving onward to various forward locations.

The operation, which occurs once every two to three months, results in significant transportation cost savings for the Army as helicopters are moved into and out of the U.S. European Command and African Command Areas of Responsibility.  The combination of air and ocean transportation results in a cost avoidance vice using air transportation alone. 

However, the movement of the assets from the local pier to the flight line, located 1.5 miles away is not such a simple task.  This particular iteration involved five trips utilizing more than 40 airplane tugs transporting 50 helicopters.

The operation is a result of a coordination of efforts between Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella – Rota, shipboard personnel, breakmen deployed with the helicopters, DLA Distribution employees and a variety of personnel from the installation including security, fire and safety.